Defensible Space Fuels Reduction Along Highway 101 and Highway 20 Evacuation Routes
Summary
SCH Number
2026050466
Public Agency
Mendocino County
Document Title
Defensible Space Fuels Reduction Along Highway 101 and Highway 20 Evacuation Routes
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/12/2026
Document Description
Notice of Exemption for a project that will be managed by CALFIRE and implemented collaboratively with Caltrans. The objective is to reduce hazardous fuel profiles along community evacuation routes (Highways 101 & 20). This project will use prescribed fire and other means to reduce vegetation biomass in the project area, to create defensible space fire clearance up to 100 feet on either side of the roadway centerline. This work will exclude any trees 12 inches or greater in diameter as measured at chest height. Work will occur along the Highway shoulders, along the center median, around on and off ramps (including cloverleafs), and around turnouts; total area includes approximately 660 acres. Containment lines will be established, reestablished or maintained as necessary for this defensible space. Work will occur annually, during times when CALFIRE determines the conditions to be appropriate.
Contact Information
Name
Julia Krog
Agency Name
Mendocino County Planning & Building Services
Job Title
Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Brandon Gunn
Agency Name
CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit
Job Title
Unit Chief
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Total Acres
660 acres
State Highways
101, 20
Other Location Info
T16N R12W Sec. 16, 15, 14, 13, T16N R11W Sec. 18, 17, 20, 21, 28, 27, 34, 35, T12N R11W Sec. 25, 24, 23, 14, 11, 2, T13N R11W Sec. 34,33, 32, 29, T17N R13W Sec. 4, 5, T18N R13W Sec. 32, 33, 29, 20, 19, 7, T18N R14W Sec. 1, 12, T20N R14W Sec. 6, T21N R14W Sec. 31, 30, T21N R15W Sec. 12, 1, T22N R15W Sec. 27, 22, 16, 9, T23N R15W Sec. 19, 20, T23N R16W Sec. 19, 20, T23N R17W Sec. 24, 13, 14, 11, T24N R17W Sec. 6, 7, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian (M.D.B.M.)
Other Information
Mile Markers: Highway 20: 33.3 – 44.114, South Highway 101: 0.103 – 9.2, North Highway 101: 42.36 to 45.99, 47.88 to 49.01, 64 to 66, 69.61 to 70.44, 73.7 to 74.35, 76.16 to 77.45, 81.15 to 81.3, 85.5 to 87.37, 88.33 to 90.40, 100.64 to 106.5
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC section 21080.49(b)
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of a CEQA statutory exemption under PRC section 21080.49(b): "A project consisting of "defensible space" fire clearance up to 100 feet, as measured from the center line of the roadway, for a public roadway identified as an egress and evacuation route for a subdivision or community of 30 or more dwelling units, to remove flammable vegetation or trees of less than 12 inches in diameter as measured at chest height".
The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuel profiles along Highways 101 & 20, both of which are designated community evacuation routes by the 2020 Mendocino County Evacuation Plan and would be evacuation routes for more than 30 dwelling units. The work will not extend beyond 100' from the roadway centerline in either direction, and it will exclude removal of trees 12 inches or greater in diameter as measured at chest height.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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